DNF @15%. I can't give this a full review but I can say that I was bored. Didn't feel pulled into the story or invested in the main character. An early reference to "book boyfriends" completely took me out of the story. Is it too much to ask for romantasy to build a world that feels immersive and makes you forget you're in 2025?

I really struggled with this one. There were times I picked it up and then had to go back and reread a chapter or two because it had been so long since the last time it was my hands. It had a really promising start and although there were great elements to it I found it hard to read due to the current slang that was mixed in. It really takes me out of the fantasy element unless it is an urban fantasy which this was not.

I've tried to get into this one a few times now, and I'm sad to say that I just can't seem to connect with it at the moment. It's really unfortunate, as I am Persian and am SO excited whenever I see new Persian-inspired stories coming out. I do think I'll give it another go in the future to try again, but for now I just can't seem to get stuck into it unfortunately! I'll be rating it an even three stars for NetGalley purposes, but yeah - feeling quite sad at the moment!

Thank you so very much for the early copy <3

Unfortunately I DNFd pretty early on - it fell short of expectations and I didn't see the need to continue.

This was... not what I was expecting, especially considering how it was marketed. I'm not mad at it. But I can tell that it's the author's first foray into the romantasy genre. For being only 368 pages, The Starlight Heir has a plot and trope list a mile long, and none of the plot points are particularly well-fleshed out. This is definitely more of a romance-forward read, so if people are considering reading this in part due to the Persian/Indian world-building (as I was), I think they'd be disappointed. There are some cultural-specific anecdotes thrown in, but we don't get much at all in the way of information about the setting, etc. We also get nearly zero context for the deities/gods relevant to this world, which I think would have helped up the stakes in terms of certain parts of the plot that seemingly were randomly tossed in

I liked both of the MCs well enough, but if you're not a fan of insta-lust/insta-love, you may not like the romance plot in this book. Their feelings for each other go from zero to 60 very quickly. Within the bounds of insta-lust, I did appreciate that the FMC was the primary host for spicy thoughts. She is not written as demure or prudish, which I found to be relatable to a more modern mindset.

As for the magic system, I liked the celestial and runic basis for the magic, but the system itself isn't explained much, at all. I think giving the readers more depth as to the magic system would have given me a better appreciation for the fantasy elements in this book, so that the romance didn't overpower things quite as much. This is a romantasy, of course, so I would expect the romance to be a significant and relevant portion of the book, but with the fantasy elements (and the world-building) lacking in context and complexity, the romance is outweighing the fantasy elements, especially for the first 70% of the book.

Overall an okay read, and I'd be curious to see if we get additional context to any of the aforementioned issues in subsequent books, as this book almost reads like a bit of a prequel.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the eARC copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

It brings you into the deadly trials for the prince's hand right in the beginning. A prince who is very much a horrid, arrogant, power hungry, manipulative man.

Suraya is a blacksmith with a hidden power she didn't even know she had, but her family tried to keep it secret at all cost. She is invited to participate for the prince's hand in marriage, but in reality, is just a test to find the starkeeper. A being with power of the stars.

She meets Roshan, the illegitimate prince, and you can already tell that he cares more for the people than the actual heir does.

During the trials, rebels attack and Roshan and Suraya escape with the rebels where Suraya learns to harness her power. She is very standoffish with the rebels at first, but eventually learns to trust them.

I had to admit that this is where it got boring for me and I had to force myself to keep reading, but the ending came with action, secrets, betrayal, and twists!
There is definitely great tension between Roshan and Suraya

The writing was sometimes a little too modern, like certain phrases that took away from the magical, other world aspect of the story, but overall it was fun to read

The Shadow God was very strange to me. I didn't understand him in the beginning and he showed up to Suraya in her dreams and would basically feel her up (a little more than that). Those scenes always made me uncomfortable because she didn't even know what was happening. She just knew she had a dream lover. Very odd.

I wanted to kill Javed myself multiple times throughout this book! Ugh! Hate a king who only sees people as play things and property he owns.

I really enjoyed this one. I wasn't too sure at first when I originally lived in but the story was fast paced. Things just go, go, go from the moment our FMC gets around the royals. I wasn't sure of the love interest trope at first but it kept making me go "d'awwww."

A few times I did want to shake our girl because ma'am you missed how many signs? But she more than made up for it.

I just wanna know when the next comes out because that end? Are we getting a shadow daddy/god? I'm sure we aren't supposed to like whoever it is but look, something is wrong with me. I'm interested!

I think this book would do great for a certain reader, maybe someone who enjoys Holly Renee books. This was very fast paced and almost all the world building was done by bingo dumping instead of showing or even really thoroughly explaining the magic/star system. There was a lot of modern dialogue mixed in which was a little off putting because it did not match the setting of the book. And finally I feel like none of the characters were very developed. I really appreciate the chance to read this but I do think it’s for a different reader who enjoys a super fast pace and modern vibe.

Overall this wasn't an amazing book but it also wasn't a bad book. It was just okay. I've been a fan of this author for years and read most of her historicals. I'm also a huge fan of fantasy romance and was super excited to read this. However the pacing just felt a little off to me. The pacing was very similar to what her historical romances are like and it just didn't work. We didn't get the character development and belief in the romance like we do with her historicals. I'm still curious to see where this series go and think it will improve.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. It was a solid romantasy and included likable characters. I laughed at a lot of what Laleh said and was very interested in where the book would take me next. The plot was interesting and the world building was solid. However, the insta-love threw me off a bit and their romance scene felt like it came a bit out of left field... I felt like I was missing a lot of the information and history in order to really understand this book, but that could be information that will come in a sequel?
I did enjoy the book and would most likely read a sequel if there was one!

The Starlight Heir was a good series starter! The book picked up really quickly, and I read it in two sittings; it was very fast-paced! I liked how once the action started, nothing slowed down. I thought that the magic system was really easy to understand, and the plot was interesting and not difficult to follow. I did think that the romance was a bit too insta-love/insta-lust-y, but otherwise, I had a good time reading this book, and am interested in seeing what happens in the next book! I didn't love how once the romance picked up, there wasn't really any tension between the characters, and I didn't like how fast they got together, however, which did impact my rating. Overall I would mostly recommend this book.

This book was so cute but in a fantastical, morally grey kind of way. I was hooked and read it in one day! Definitely different than Howard’s other books that I’ve read but I loved it.

This was such a fascinating read. Dealing with mythology and magics in the realm. There is slow burn romance, magic, magical creatures including wyverns!!!! The world building isn't to hard to follow and not overly detailed to where you feel it takes up the whole book. I can't wait to see what book 2 holds!!

I was absolutely ecstatic when this arrived in my Fairyloot box. =)

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

I found the premise of the Starlight Heir to be interesting and was very excited to receive an eARC from NetGalley and Avon Books. Unfortunately I don't think this book is for me.

Surayu is a blacksmith who gets invited to court to be in the running for the prince's hand in marriage. The prince is looking for a Starkeeper, that are essentially all but disappeared. As Suraya completes the trials for the prince's favor, with a little help from the prince's half brother, she starts to notice things are not quite what they seem. From there all sorts of chaos ensues, including some dream visits from a mysterious someone.

The book was fast paced, but I would have liked some of the details more fleshed out. It felt like the transition from one storyline/place to the next was rushed and I found it hard to keep up. Also the modern day slang took me out of the fantasy book setting.

I think someone looking for a romance heavy fantasy with not as much world building could really enjoy this one, but ultimately it wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The world building slowed me down initially but then I was suddenly 75% through. I enjoyed the characters and the twists and turns. I'm excited for the next book and to hopefully find out about our shadow friend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, I was intrigued by the beginning of this book. There were interesting elements placed, the world seemed vibrant and I was engaged.

I would say that ended somewhere around the 25% mark.

It feels like nothing in this book had any depth. Not the characters, not the world, not even the plot. Things were just happening just for the sake of things happening and then it didn’t feel like there was a satisfying pay-off for them.

By the halfway point, I was determined to finish the book just so I could be done with it.

Suraya’s arc was rushed as we didn’t get to see her learn to use her powers and she just had incredible control by the end somehow. Everything just felt very convenient and shallow.

One thing I love about books is when they surprise me, and not a single thing in this book was shocking or unexpected.

Overall, I think this had so much potential but didn’t deliver.

I had such a good time reading The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard. It’s got magic, court drama, and just enough romance to keep things interesting. Suraya, a badass bladesmith, finds herself caught up in royal chaos—and maybe falling for Roshan, the prince’s charming and infuriating half-brother. The world was so vivid, and even though I saw a few twists coming, I didn’t mind at all. If you’re into fantasy with a bit of romance, this one’s totally worth picking up!

4.25 ⭐ rounded up!

Suraya, the FMC, is strong, intelligent, and fiercely independent. I thoroughly enjoyed the FMC/MMC being in their mid-20's and not being a ripe 18.

The romance is a slow burn, full of longing glances and stolen moments until they come together around the midpoint. I live for the slow burn!

The magic system in this world reminded me a bit of Star Mother by Charlie N Holmberg meets mythology and is a wonderful cultural mashup!

I would have loved it if the supporting characters were a smidge more fleshed out, but they're still pretty good. Some of the very modern terms seemed very out of place as well.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and will happily wait for the next book!

Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“A bladesmith blessed by the stars. A prince with a dangerous secret. A god bound in shadows.”

Read if you like:
- Forbidden Romance
- Secret Identities
- Prophecies, Star Magic
- Forced Proximity
- Quests and Adventure

Synopsis:

We follow Suraya Saab, our heroine bladesmith. When she receives an invitation to the capital city, chosen as one of the many to be a potential bride for our crown prince, she leaves for a chance at adventure. But what awaits is nothing as imagined. The invitation isn’t a quest to find a suitable bride, but a veiled hunt for the Starkeeper, a girl rumored to hold magic of the stars in her blood. Fraught with danger, charmed with forbidden love, and the adventures of crossing an unrest city, Suraya begins to channel the power stirring within her in hopes to battle the biggest threat of all..

Thoughts:

What I enjoyed:
The setting, the easy to follow world building, and the fast-paced plot! The plot definitely keeps you on your toes, propelling the story forward. I was also very intrigued by the Persian and Indian Mythology and Astrology elements, and the overall concept of this novel was quite entertaining.

What wasn’t my favorite:
The romance and our female lead. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t connect with Suraya. Her character growth just didn’t feel fully fleshed out, and I think this may have been better supplemented by further enforcing the bonds with our side characters. I also found myself pulled out of the story a few times by the dialogue choices. And don’t’ get me wrong, I love a spicy scene, but the romance just didn’t have that gradual believability for me to feel invested.

Ultimately, I landed on a 3 star read, but I think this romantasy author has a lot of potential. I’d be curious to see what this author releases next!

Thank you Avon Books and Harper Voyager for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.